HJM Immigration Law Practice

Practice Areas

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration

Providing Excellent Service in All Areas of Immigration.

Removal Defense

Any noncitizen without lawful status in the United States may be placed in removal proceedings with the immigration court. If you are in removal proceedings, you should consult an experienced immigration attorney to represent you and advise you about which forms of relief you may qualify for to avoid deportation.

Asylum and Withholding of Removal

Any person who fears returning to their country of citizenship due to persecution may, with certain exceptions, qualify for asylum in the United States if they can prove past persecution, or a well-founded fear of future persecution, on account of any one of five protected grounds.

Cancellation of Removal

A noncitizen facing the possibility of being ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge may qualify for the relief of cancellation of removal if they meet certain criteria. A grant of cancellation of removal will allow the person to remain in the United States as a lawful permanent resident.

Adjustment of Status

People who have been lawfully admitted to the United States, who have an approved visa petition from a sponsoring relative or employer, and who have an immigrant visa immediately available to them, may qualify to adjust their status in the U.S. to that of lawful permanent resident, or “green card holder.”

Immigration Detention and Bond

Non-citizens who have been taken into custody and transferred to an immigration detention center may qualify for release on bond if they meet certain criteria and an immigration judge grants them a bond. If you are detained, an experienced immigration attorney can represent you and try to obtain your release on bond.

Family-based Green Card

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain relatives, such as spouses and children, to immigrate to the United States and obtain lawful permanent residence, also known as a “green card”. An immigration attorney can help you file a visa petition for your loved one and guide you through the entire process.

Naturalization and Citizenship

Lawful permanent residents who meet certain criteria may qualify for naturalization in order to become U.S. citizens. An experienced immigration attorney can advise you about if and when you may qualify for naturalization, and also represent you at your interview.

K-Visas (Fiancé Visa)

U.S. citizens can sponsor a fiancé/fiancée abroad for a K visa that will allow the fiancé/fiancée to enter the United States for the purpose of marrying the U.S. citizen within 90 days of entry.

Stay of Removal

Aliens with a final order of removal who will experience extreme and unusual hardship if they are deported from the U.S. may apply for a Stay of Removal (I-246) in order to persuade ICE to exercise its discretion and not remove the person from the United States during a maximum period of one year.

Green Card Renewal (I-90)

Even though their status per se does not expire, lawful permanent residents (LPRs) must renew their permanent resident cards every ten years by filing Form I-90, along with supporting documents and the required filing fee.

Extension or Change of Nonimmigrant Status (I-539)

Any alien who is present in the United States under nonimmigrant status (such as a tourist visa or a student visa) and who wishes to extend the duration of their nonimmigrant status or change to a different nonimmigrant status, must timely file Form I-539 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Waivers of Inadmissibility

Certain crimes, as well as fraud or misrepresentation to obtain an immigration benefit, or prior unlawful presence in the United States may make an applicant “inadmissible” and therefore ineligible for a visa. If you qualify for a waiver, an immigration attorney can prepare your application and, if your waiver is granted, your ground of inadmissibility will be forgiven.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

Applicants for adjustment of status, applicants for asylum, and many other categories of individuals may qualify for an employment authorization document or “work permit”. An immigration attorney can inform you if you qualify for a work permit and help you properly submit your initial (or renewal) application for an EAD.

Removal of Conditions (I-751)

A beneficiary spouse who is approved for conditional residence (because the marriage to the petitioner spouse was less than two years old) must file Form I-751 before the expiration of the two-year conditional residence period, along with evidence of the good faith of the marriage, in order to remove conditions and obtain permanent residence.

FOIA (USCIS / CBP / EOIR)

For anyone with a prior immigration history, a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is usually the first step and it’s the proper way to obtain a copy of any and all records that U.S. government agencies such as USCIS, Customs and Border Protection, or the immigration court may have about that person.

ICE Check-in (Order of Supervision / Order of Release on Recognizance)

Aliens with a final order of removal but who have nonetheless been released from ICE custody under an Order of Supervision (OSUP) are required to periodically check in with a deportation officer. If you are under OSUP, your immigration attorney may accompany you to your check-in appointment and speak on your behalf with ICE officers.

VAWA

Noncitizens who married a U.S. citizen or LPR in good faith and who were subsequently battered or abused by their spouse may apply for a self-petition under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). If the self-petition is approved, the person may then qualify for adjustment of status regardless of their immigration status.

U-Visa

Any noncitizen, regardless of their immigration status, may qualify for a U visa if the noncitizen has been the victim of a qualifying crime while in the United States and meets other criteria. An immigration attorney can advise you about your eligibility for a U visa if you have been the victim of a crime.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Citizens of countries that have been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and who meet certain criteria, may qualify for benefits under the TPS program. A TPS beneficiary may remain in the United States and obtain employment authorization for as long as the TPS designation of their country remains in effect.

DACA

Although not equivalent to a lawful or permanent immigration status, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program allows qualifying noncitizens who meet certain criteria to benefit from prosecutorial discretion and to obtain employment authorization. A grant of DACA must be renewed every two years.

Motion to Reopen

Removal proceedings that have already concluded may only be reopened by filing a motion to reopen with the immigration court. Since removal proceedings may only be reopened for a very limited number of legal reasons, you would do well to hire an experienced immigration attorney to file your motion.

Appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

Any respondent against whom an immigration judge has entered an order of removal has the right to appeal the judge’s decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If the BIA rules in your favor, the immigration judge’s decision may be reversed altogether, or the case may be remanded for further proceedings.

Request a Free Consultation

Contact us for a free consultation if you would like help with an immigration matter.
We will provide you with courteous and prompt service.

Call us today! 305-613-3868

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